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| Day | Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Lima. City tour today or upon your return |
| 2-3 | Amazon Lodge. Excursions by boat and on foot to view flora and fauna. |
| 4 | Flight to Cuzco. City and ruins tour |
| 5 | Sacred Valley tour – Pisac and Ollantaytambo |
| 6 | Machu Picchu tour, then free time at the site |
| 7 | Journey to Lake Titicaca |
| 8-9 | Lake Titicaca excursion – floating islands and the islands of Taquile and Amantani |
| 10 | Flight to Lima – intl. flight may depart any time after 12pm. |
Peru Panorama:
Econoclass
10 days: US$2600 per person
with domestic flights included
(What’s Included)
It’s our top three Peru destinations in ten exciting days. From the Amazon basin to the top of the world at Lake Titicaca, with Cuzco and Machu Picchu in between, it’s a great survey of this incredible country! And as on all Southern Crossings tours, you´re taken care of from beginning to end – airport transfers and domestic flights are included!
Depart any day and customize your tour at no extra charge!
PERU PANORAMA TRIP ITINERARY
| Day | Activity/Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If arriving during the day, you’ll have a guided tour of the city before being transferred to the airport next morning for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Otherwise you’ll have a tour in Lima upon your return. |
| 2-3 | We’re off to the Amazon basin this morning! After a short flight, we arrive in the city of Puerto Maldonado and transfer to a motorized dugout canoe for the trip upriver to our jungle lodge. Our cabins at the lodge have modern bathrooms and comfortable beds with mosquito nets, and the food here is great. Take an afternoon walk through the rainforest with an experienced naturalist guide, come back for dinner, then set off again for a nocturnal jungle canoe ride to spot caiman! The next day’s activities will include a visit to an oxbow lake to look for giant river otters, monkeys, macaws and other wildlife as well as jungle walks led by an experienced, English speaking guide. You’ll witness an array of medicinal and otherwise interesting flora and fauna, as well as gain some insight into native Amazonian peoples and traditions. |
| 4 | Morning flight over the Andes to Cuzco. After checking into our hotel, we’ll head to the Plaza de Armas, the center of old Cuzco, then climb up to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman above town for great afternoon views over the city. Depending on your arrival time, there may be time for shopping or more sightseeing in the afternoon. |
| 5 | This morning we take a short and scenic ride in our private transport to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, two important Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley. After visiting the site of Pisac, we’ll head down to the colonial town below and visit its famous crafts market. We then continue on to Ollantaytambo. Besides the huge and fascinating ruins above the town, Ollantaytambo is the only Inca village still inhabited today. Walk its narrow streets and peer through huge Inca doorways into courtyards where life has changed little in over 500 years. Afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, below Machu Picchu where we’ll spend the night. |
| 6 | Sunrise at Machu Picchu! After a guided tour, take your time and enjoy this magnificent place. During peak visiting hours (10-2), try a hike on one of the surrounding Inca trails. We return to Cuzco in the afternoon. |
| 7 | This morning we head to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 12,500 feet above sea level. The trip there is beautiful, as we pass by Andean villages, herds of llama and alpaca, and high snowcaps. And our journey today is also a guided tour, stopping at the Inca site of Raqchi, the old colonial church at Andahuaylillas and the Pukara Culture Archaeological Museum. A buffet lunch is also included. Late afternoon arrival in Puno. |
| 8 | Boats are the transport theme today as we head out across the waters of Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the islands of Uros, completely constructed out of totora reeds and floating on the surface of the lake. We’ll take a walk across the spongy surface of these unique islands and go for a ride in a reed boat before continuing on to the island of Amantani, where we’ll spend the night with a local native family. A soccer game with the locals, an amazing sunset, and a music and dance fiesta in native garb are all on the agenda on Amantani today. Please note: our Lake Titicaca family stay is a truly authentic experience which includes being cooked for by and dining with the local family and staying in a room at their house. There is often just candlelight, no electricity, and the bathroom is an outhouse. This is a great experience which is the highlight of many people’s trip, but which can certainly be described as “basic” or “roughing it”. If you do not wish to spend the night on the islands, Taquile and the floating Islands can be visited on a day trip. |
| 9 | This morning we head to the island of Taquile. The native culture of Taquile is the most intact in probably all of the Andes, with its inhabitants maintaining the same customs and dress as they have for over 1000 years. You will truly feel as though you have gone back in time as you walk the ancient stone paths of the island and observe it’s people. Afternoon boat ride back to Puno. |
| 10 | All good things must come to an end, and today we fly back to Lima and the end of our journey. Day free in Lima to visit any of the sites missed the first time around depending on international departure time. International flight may depart any time after 12pm. |
TRIP DETAILS
10 days: US$2600 per person
Domestic flights included
Depart any day
Is this trip for me?
Peru Panorama: Econoclass is a ten-day tour which includes high-altitude walks of up to 45 minutes and a basic family stay on Lake Titicaca. It is possible to visit the Titicaca Islands on a day trip if you would prefer. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Joining the Tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis!
- Private airport pickups at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip
- Southern Crossings bilingual guides
- All other internal transport – (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
- Domestic flights – Lima-Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado-Cuzco, Lake Titicaca – Lima
- Six nights of 2 star hotel accommodation, one night family stay on Lake Titicaca, two nights 3 star rainforest lodge
- Breakfast – included with all hotel stays
- Machu Picchu excursion, including bilingual guide, round trip train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
- Group Lake Titicaca excursion – including three meals with local family
- Three day/two night jungle lodge excursion – including all meals
- Guided tour between Puno and Cuzco – including buffet lunch
- Group Cuzco city tour
- Group Lima city tour
- 24 hour customer support line while on tour
What’s not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport taxes (approx. US$32), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy, cancellation insurance is advisable. Any medical insurance is acceptable, we recommend Travel Guard. Click on the logo below for a quote:
Note: if you are located outside central Lima or the Miraflores area, there may be an extra charge for these transfers.
Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima: $85 double/$75 single
In Cuzco: $70 double/$60 single
In Machu Picchu: $80 double/$80 single
Single Person Supplement $550
Please add this to your total payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private accommodation
PRE-TRIP PLANNER
Required documents
All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
A yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required to travel to the Amazon. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone. The yellow fever vaccination with the official certificate is required, and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.
Things to bring
One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:
· Passport and, if necessary, visa
· Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
· Airline ticket
· Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
· Wearable pouch for documents and money
· Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
· Smaller, comfortable day pack
· Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
· Sandals or flip-flops
· Rain poncho or jacket
· Waterproof pants
· Sun hat
· Hat for cold weather
· Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
· Scarf and gloves
· T-shirts
· Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
· Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
· Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
· Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
· Sunscreen
· Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
· Lip balm
· Earplugs
· Alarm clock or watch
· Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
· Camera and film/digital memory cards
· Camera batteries
· Playing cards, games, reading material
· Prescription medications
· Toiletries
Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.
Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
Cuzco: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are chilly in Cuzco.
Machu Picchu: similar to Cuzco, but warmer and with more chance of rain.
Lake Titicaca: similar to Cuzco but much colder at night and when there’s no sun.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Amazon basin: hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites.
Baggage
For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.
Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current currency conversion
Currency Converter
Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.
Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30.
“I have wanted to see machu picchu since I had done a report in 5th grade. Being able to see it, feel it, smell it, walk it, was beyond anything I could imagne. All of our other stops reenforced the incredible sights and sounds and left us wanting to see and do more. All of our guides were fantastic, amazing,great, funny, wonderfully knowledgeble, and caring. They truely made our trip one of a kind.”
-Pat and Elisabeth Etchells, USA – Peru Panorama
“The Southern Crossings staff were incredibly nice and incredibly well organized. All the transportation was clean and efficient. All the hotels were clean and the staff was very personable. The guides were all very knowledgeable and very upbeat about their job. I’m hoping that Southern Crossings will help me with future travel in South America!”
-David Hospodar, USA – Peru Panorama
“From start to finish, our experience with Southern Crossings was a pleasure. We have extensive travel experience around the world. Southern Crossings was extremely prompt in getting back to us during planning, flexible in helping us design a custom itinerary and repeatedly attentive to our needs and desires once our holiday had begun. Never before have we been repeatedly contact! ed by to ur company staff throughout our travel to verify that all was well and that nothing was amiss. This was a wonderful touch. We would be delighted to travel with Southern Crossings in the future. They provided top-rate service and wonderful value. Thanks for making our holiday great!”
-John and Christine Gauder, USA – Custom Peru Panorama
“Typically not a tour-orientated traveler, I found the guides Southern Crossings provided during our journey helpful, informative, entertaining and a positive addition to our experience of Peru.
There was someone waiting for us upon each arrival, domestic and international. They were easy to spot and thoughtful of our adjustment to new surroundings.
The hotel in Cuzco was clean and full of the right amenities. The location was perfect and the breakfast boasted some of the best coffee and fruit on the whole trip!
Our guide in Lima was a fountain of information, and had a great sense of humor as well. And Alcira is the guide of all guides! There was not a single question I had that she could not answer.”
-Megan Mygatt, USA – Peru Custom Tour